The Master of Arts in Political Science offers a deeper understanding of the field, with opportunities for specialized study and research. With experienced faculty and a supportive community of scholars, you'll be prepared for a variety of career paths, including teaching, research and public service.
Political Science - M.A.
Contact Us
- Program Coordinator: Ryan Claassen | rclaasse@kent.edu | 330-672-2060
- Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student
Program Information
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Program Description
Full Description
The Master of Arts degree in Political Science focuses broadly on the dynamics surrounding representation, equity, conflict, human rights, development and conflict resolution. Students delve into the scholarship on these dynamics (among others) in an interdisciplinary and theoretically sophisticated way, thinking about how the political process and government policy-making affect the lives of citizens, and how citizens influence those processes.
The Political Science major comprises the following concentrations:
- American Politics and Policy
- Conflict Analysis and Management
- Transnational and Comparative Politics
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Admissions
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
- Official transcript(s)
- GRE scores (no longer required starting with spring 2024 admission)
- Résumé or curriculum vitae with cover letter is required starting with spring 2024 admission
- Goal statement
- Writing sample
- Three letters of recommendation
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
- Minimum 550 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
- Minimum 79 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
- Minimum 77 MELAB score
- Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
- Minimum 58 PTE score
- Minimum 110 Duolingo English test score
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.
Application Deadlines
- Fall Semester
- Priority deadline: February 15
Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.
- Priority deadline: February 15
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Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Understand the theoretical underpinnings of political science and be able to address real world issues and problems.
- Attain research and methodological skills that will further their research and make them attractive to future employers.
- Effectively communicate research findings and implications to a range of audiences including scholars, practitioners and citizens.
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Coursework
On This Page
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Major Requirements POL 60002 SCOPE AND EPISTEMOLOGY 3 POL 60003 QUANTITATIVE METHODS I 3 POL 60010 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS 3 Culminating Requirement Non-Thesis or Thesis Option, choose from the following: 1 9 Non-Thesis Option POL 60099CAPSTONE SEMINAR Electives (6 credit hours)Thesis Option POL 61199THESIS I Elective (3 credit hours)Concentrations Choose from the following: 12 American Politics and Policy Conflict Analysis and Management Transnational and Comparative Politics Minimum Total Credit Hours: 30 - 1
Students intending to pursue a Ph.D. degree are advised to choose the thesis option
American Politics and Policy Concentration Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Concentration Requirements POL 60101 STATUS OF THE FIELD: AMERICAN POLITICS AND POLICY 3 Concentration Electives, choose from the following: 9 POL 60102AMERICAN POLICY PROCESS POL 60103CONGRESS, THE PRESIDENCY AND THE COURTS POL 60105FEDERALISM AND STATE POLICYMAKING POL 60106URBAN POLICY AND POLITICS POL 60108AMERICAN POLITICAL BEHAVIOR POL 60191SEMINAR IN AMERICAN POLITICS AND POLICY Advisor-Approved ElectivesMinimum Total Credit Hours: 12 Conflict Analysis and Management Concentration Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Concentration Requirements POL 60901 FOUNDATIONS OF CONFLICT ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT 3 Concentration Electives, choose from the following: 9 POL 60507CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION AND RECONCILIATION POL 60902POWER, CONFLICT AND THE POLITICS OF GENDER POL 60903IDENTITY DRIVEN CONFLICTS POL 60904SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND NONVIOLENT CONFLICTS POL 60906POLITICAL VIOLENCE POL 60907TERRORISM AND HUMAN RIGHTS POL 60991SEMINAR IN CONFLICT ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT Advisor-Approved ElectivesMinimum Total Credit Hours: 12 Transnational and Comparative Politics Concentration Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Concentration Requirements POL 60501 STATUS OF THE FIELD: TRANSNATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE POLITICS AND POLICY 3 Concentration Electives, choose from the following: 9 POL 60502GLOBAL GOVERNANCE POL 60503FOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS POL 60510POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT POL 60511INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY POL 60591SEMINAR IN TRANSNATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE POLITICS AND POLICY Advisor-Approval ElectivesMinimum Total Credit Hours: 12 Graduation Requirements
- Minimum 30 credit hours required for graduation
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Program Delivery
- Delivery:
- In person
- Location:
- Kent Campus
- Delivery:
Looking for Our Undergraduate Program?
Click here to learn more about our B.A. program in Political Science.
Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries
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Political science teachers, postsecondary
4.9%
about as fast as the average
19,800
number of jobs
$85,760
potential earnings
-
Political scientists
6.1%
faster than the average
7,000
number of jobs
$125,350
potential earnings
-
Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other
-0.3%
little or no change
19,300
number of jobs
$69,340
potential earnings
-
Social science research assistants
5.8%
faster than the average
40,100
number of jobs
$49,210
potential earnings
-
Social and community service managers
17.0%
much faster than the average
175,500
number of jobs
$69,600
potential earnings
-
Social scientists and related workers, all other
0.8%
little or no change
38,800
number of jobs
$87,260
potential earnings
-
Legislators
6.2%
faster than the average
53,700
number of jobs
$33,200
potential earnings
-
Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.